Natural Resources Minister Claude Bechard, one of Quebec's youngest cabinet ministers, confirmed Friday that he has pancreatic cancer, which is usually deadly.
Bechard's office says the 38-year-old minister will be on medical leave for at least six months.
Pancreatic cancer has a five-year survival rate of just 5 per cent.
A spokesman told Â鶹´«Ã½ that a cancerous tumour was removed from Bechard's pancreas on June 11.
Pascal D'Astous said there are no signs the disease has spread elsewhere.
But he added more tests are needed to determine whether any traces of cancer remain in Bechard's pancreas.
Bechard, who turns 39 on Sunday, has been in a Quebec City hospital since late last month after complaining of severe intestinal pain.
The original diagnosis had been cancer of the duodenum, in the small intestine.
Transport Minister Julie Boulet has assumed Bechard's natural resources duties on an interim basis.
